Electric soldering iron



Aug'. 25, 1931. R. R. HAZLETT ET AL 1,820,799

y ELECTRIC SOLDERING IRON Filed July 26 1930 lNvENToR ATTORNEY ill)Patented Aug. 25, 1931 TN' OFFICE RAYMOND R. HAZLETT ANI) WILLCAM J.

ALEXANDER, GF LiNDEN, NEW JERSEY ELECTRIC SLDERING IRON Applicationfiled July 26,

This invention relates to improvements in soldering irons and moreparticularly to an improved electric iron and the invention has as itsprimary object to provide a soldering iron which will be heated almostinstantaneously, through the closing of an electric circuit and whichwill consume current only when actually in use, and, in this connectionthe invention also has as one of its objects to provide a soldering ironso constructed that the heat generated by the electric resistanceheating unit thereof, will be accumulated and conserved so that the ironmay be employed for soldering purposes as long as live minutes after thecurrent has been cut off from the source of supply.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric soldering ironembodying a novel switch or circuit closer so constructed andfunctioning in such ka manner as to greatly economize in the spaceordinarily required for housing an electric unit of this type, theswitch being so constructed that it may be actuated, to close thecircuit, either by thumb pressure against either end of ashiftable bar,or the mere disposal of a soldering iron, with light pressure, upon atable or other convenient support, and in this connecion, the inventioncontemplates an economy in the construction and operation of the switchinasmuch as it contemplates the utili- Zation, as one conductor,associated with the switch, a resilient wire, which will be deflected,against its resiliency, when the member is shifted. rlhis resilientconductor serves to return the member to normal position when the memberis relieved of pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a soldering iron of thetype referred to in which novel means will be provided for connectingthe electric conductors throughout the several component sections of thedevice so lon O' as the parts are held in their assembled relations.

This invention also consists in certain other features of constructionand in the combination and arrangement. of the several parts, to behereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings,and specifically pointed out in the appended claims, it being 1939.Serial No. 471,015.

understood of course that minor changes may be made so long as they fallwithin the scope of the claims.

ln describing' my invention in detail, reference will be had to theaccompanying drawings, wherein like characters denote like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure l is a Vertical longitudinal sectional view through a solderingiron constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a detail vertical transverse sectional view takensubstantially on the line 2-2 of Figure l, looking in the directionindicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view at right angles to Figure 1 takensubstantially on the line 3 3 of Figure l, looking in the directionindicated by the arrows.

Figure l is a detail sectional view illustrating one plug of theelectric iron embodying the invention and which plug embodies means forthe anchorage of electric conductors.

Figure 5 is a view in elevation of the electrical resistance unit of thedevice removed from the other p arts.

rlhe electric iron embodying the invention includes a handle indicatedin general by the numeral l, which handle may be of wood or any othersuitable insulating material and the numeral 2 indicates a cylindricalferrule which is fitted to the forward end of the handle. nl. bushing 8of any suitable insulating material is arranged within the outer end ofthe ferrule 2 and a tubular cylindrical shank l is fitted at one endinto the bushing and the bushing and shank are held together and fixedwith respect to the ferrule 2 by means cf set screws 5 which arethreaded through registering openings in the ferrule and bushing, thescrews being tightened to bind against the hollow tubular shank. A plug(i of any suitable insulating material, such for example as porcelain orhard rubber, is arranged within the inner end of the shank il and a plug7, also of insulating material, is fitted into the outer end portion ofthe tubular shank.

The electric resistance unit of the solderying iron is indicated by thenumeral 8, in

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general, and the same comprises a plug-like head 9 which is fitted intothe outer end of the tubular shank 4 and, at its inner end, abutsagainst the plug 7.

A stem extends centrally from the outer end of the head 9 and this stemis preferably helically grooved, in a shallow manner, so as toaccommodate a coil 11, which coil is of electrical resistance wire, andis wound about the stem and connected with a central lead thereof,indicated by the numeral 12, which lead extends axially through the stem10 and hea-d 8 and is connected to a contact 13, preferably in thenature of a pin of cylindrical head 9 of the resistance unit. A similarpin 14 is also embedded in the head 9 of the resistance unit and to thislatter pin there is electrically connected the lead 15 from the otherend of the resistance coil 11, the pins 13 and 14 projecting, at theirfree ends, slightly beyond the inner end of the head 9. The plug 7 isformed with a pair of longitudinal bores 16 in each of which is fitted ahelical wire spring .sleeve 17, one end of each of these sleeves beingadapted to accommodate the said free end of the pin 13 and the other,the free end of the pin 14. In a manner to be presently described, theheating unit 8 is removably held in place in the outer yend of thetubular shank 4 and in order that current may be supplied to theterminals of the resistance coil of this unit, through the medium of thecontact pins 13 and 14, conductors 10018 and 19 are embedded,intermediate their ends, in the plug G as shown in Figure 1 and, for apurpose to be presently explained, the conductor 19 will preferably beof resilient wire and the forward ends of the conduc- 105 tors 18 and 19are fitted into the other ends of the wire spring sleeves 17 and, theconductor 19 is preferably led, from the plug 7 to the plug (5, at aslight angle so as to extend through the plug 6 in axial alinement withlosaid plug. A socket 2O is formed in the handle 1 at the forward end ofsaid handle and a helical spring sleeve 21 is arranged within thissocket and the rear end of the conductor 18 is fitted in one end of thissleeve. 115 Grooves 22 are formed longitudinally in the bore of thehandle 1 and conductors 23 and 24, corresponding in their location, withrespect to the axes of the soldering iron as a whole, to the conductors18 and 19 and thc lsoforward end of the conductor 23 is led into thesleeve 21 and is in contact with the end of the conductor 18. Theconductors 23 are brought together and preferably twisted as at 25 toform a cable which may be connected 125 with any suitable source ofcurrent supply,

and preferably a plug 26 of insulating material is fitted in the outerend of the bore of the handle 1 and has openings 27 therein throughwhich the conductors 22 are led, 130 at their insulated length portions,this plug form which is threaded or embedded in thev 26 being removablyheld in place by a set screw 28. A sleeve 29 of insulating material isarranged Within the bore of the handle l. between the plug 26 and theclosed inner end of the bore and this sleeve defines an i11- sulatingchamber or compartment in which a spare one of the tips may be disposedand retained until required for use.

As stated above the conductor wire 19 is resilient in character and soled within the shank 4 as to extend axially through the plug 6 and thisconductor constitutes, in ell'ect, one element of a circuit closingdevice which will now be described. The circuit closing device referredto comprises a disk 30 which may be of any appropriate metal and whichis of circular form except that it is provided with a V-shaped recess 31at one side and a centrally located opening 32 with which the minor endof the recess communicates the wall of the opening 32 being formed, atthis point of communiation of the recess and opening, with shoulders 33.

It will be observed, by reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawingsthat the portion of the conductor 19 which extends rearwardly of theplug 8, extends also through the opening 32 but that it is spaced withrespect to the wall of said opening. However, the invention contemplatesthe provision of means for utilizing this conductor terminal as oneelement of the circuit closer and, with this end in view, a rod 34 ofinsulating material is mounted for diametric shifting movement inregistering openings 35 and 36 formed in the handle 1 and ferrule 2,respectively, and is preferably provided at its ends, with caps 37 whichmay be of hard rubber, metal, or any other material found suitable forthe purpose. By reference to Figure 3 of the drawings, which is, aspreviously stated, a section on the line 33 of Figure 1, taken in aplane substantially at right angles to the plane in Figure 1, theconductor 19 is, due to its resiliency, capable of being flexed andpreferably the plug 6 has its opening, through which this conductorextends, increased in diameter at its rear end as indicated by thenumeral 38, so as to permit of limited flexing movement of the rear endof the conductor. In order that this movement may be effected, the rod34 is formed with an opening 38 preferably flared in the direction ofits two ends, and the rear extremity of the conductor 19 engages in thisopening.

Normally the conductor will be straight or in other words have a rightline extent coincident with the axis of the plug 6, but it will beevident by reference to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive that, in the event therod 34 is shifted in one direction or the other, the conductor 19 willhave its rear end portion flexed so as to be brought into engagementwith the wall of the opening 32 and, inasmuch as the line j conduct-or24 is spot welded, as at 39, to the disk 30, and the disk `is heldagainst rotation by screws 4() which are fitted through openings thereinand threaded into the inner end of the handle l, transverse shifting ofthe bar in either direction will cause a iiexing of the resilientieXible terminal of the conductor 19 and engagement of the conductorwith one or the other side wall of the opening 32.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that by forming therecess 3l in the plate 30, the plate is prevented from coming in Contactwith the conductor 1S and likewise the conductor is prevented fromcoming in contact with the plate and, by forming the shoulders 33 at thejuncture of the opening 32 and recess 3l, the conductor 19 is preventedfrom leaving the opening.

It will also be evident from the foregoing that pressure against eitherof the heads 3'! of the rods 34 will effect closing of the circuitthrough the electric heating unit.

In order that the heating unit may be protected and the soldering ironbe provided with a smooth tip for contact with the part or parts to besoldered, a metallic tip l1 is provided and this tip is shaped tocorrespond to the contour of the said heating unit and of interiordimensions to be spaced from the resistance coil l1 of said unit. Thetip is fitted into the outer end of the tubular shank il, and a setscrew 42 is threaded through registering openings in the tip and shankand bears against the head 9 of the heating unit 8.

lVhat we claim is:

l. ln an electric soldering iron, a handle of insulating material, aferrnle fitted to the forward end of the handle, a tubular shankextending forwardly from the ferrule, a hollow metal soldering tipseparably connected with the forward end of the shank, an electricalresistance heating unit within the tip, plugs of insulating materialWithin the ends of the tabular shank, electrical conductors supported attheir end portions in the plugs and in circuit with the said heatingunit, conductor wires extending in the handle and one having itsterminal in circuit with one of the said conductors, the other conductorbeing resilient, and a circuit closing unit comprising contact disk towhich the other one of the conductor wires is connected, the disk havingan opening therein, the said resilient conductor extending through saidopening and normally out of contact with the wall thereof, anda rod ofinsulating material shiftably mounted in the handle and inwardly of thecontact disk and having an opening` into which the free end of theresilient conductor extends, whereby shifting of the rod will effectengagement of the said end of the resilient conductor with the wall ofthe opening in the contact disk to close the circuit through the heatingunit.

2. In an electric soldering iron, a handle of insulating material, aferrule fitted to the forward end of the handle, a tubular shankextending forwardly from the ferrule, a hollow metal soldering tipseparably connected with the forward end of the shank, an electricalresistance heatingunit within the tip, plugs of insulating materialwithin the ends of the tubular shank, electrical conductors supported attheir end portionsin the plugs r and in circuit with the said heatingunit, conductor wires extending in the handle and one having itsterminal in circuit with one of the said conductors, the other conductorbeing resilient, and a circuit closing unit compris- 2 ing a contactdisk to which the other one of the conductor wires is connected, thedisk having an opening therein, the said resilient conductor extendingthrough said opening and normally out of contact with the wall -Jthereof, and' a rod of insulating material shiftably mounted in thehandle and inwardly of the contact disk and having` an opening intowhich the free end of the resilient conductor extends, whereby shifting`of the rod will effect engagement of the said end of the resilientconductor with the wall of the opening in the Contact disk to close thecircuit through the heating unit, the said resilient conductor alsoconstituting means for shifting the rod to normal position when the rodis relieved of pressure.

3. In an electric soldering iron, a handle of insulating material, aferrnle fitted to the forward end of the handle, a tubular shankextending forwardly from the ferrnle, a hollow metal soldering tipseparably connected with the forward end of the shank, an electricalresistance heating unit within the tip, plugs of insulatin materialwithin the ends of the tubular shank, electrical conductors supporter.at their end portions in the plugs and in circuit with the said heatingunit, conductor wires extending in the handle and one having itsterminal in circuit with one of the said conductors, the other conductorbeing resilient, and a circuit closing unit comprising a contact disk towhich the other one of the conductor wires is connected, the disk havingan opening` therein, the said resilient conductor evtendina through saidopening and normally ont of contact with the wall thereof, and a rod ofinsulating material shiftably mounted in the handle and inwardly of the`contact disk and having an opening into which the free end of theresilient conductor extends, whereby shifting of the rod will effeetengagement of the said end of the resilient conductor with the wall ofthe opening in the contact disk to close the circuit through the heatingunit, the said resilient conductor also constituting means for shiftingthe rod to normal position when the rod is relieved of pressure, thesaid contact disk also having u recess communicating with the opening toclear the other Conductor.

4. In an electric soldering i on, handle of insulating material, ailerrule n ud to the forward end of the iandle', a tubular shankextending forwardly from the ferrule, a hollow metal soldering tipseparably conneetei'l with the forward end of the shank, an eleetriealresistance heating` unit within the tip, plugs of insulating materialwithin the ends of the tubular shank, electrical conductors supported attheir end portions in the plugs and in Circuit with the said heatingunit, conductor wires extending in the handle and one having itsterminal in circuit with one of the said conductors, the other conductorbeing resilient, and a Circuit closing unit comprising a Contact disk towhich the other one of the conductor wires is connect-ed, the diskhaving an opening therein, the said resilient eonductor extendingthrough said opening and normally out et Contact with the wall thereof,and a rod ot insulating material shiltably mounted in the handle andinwardly of the Contact disk and having an opening into which the freeend of the resilient conductor extends, whereby shifting o'l" the rodwill effeet engagement of the said end of the resilient conductor withthe wall ol the opening in the Contact disk close the Circuit throughthe heating ui `t, the said resilient conductor also eonstituti ff meansfor shitting the rod to normal position when the rod is relieved ofpressure, the said Contact disk also having a recess eon'nnunieatingwith the opening to Clear the other conductor, the said opening beingrestricted at its side with which the recess is in eon'ununieation.

5. In an electric soldering iron, a handle of insulating material, a'lei rule li'ited to the forward end et vthe handle, a tubular shankextending it'orwardly frein the 'errule, a hollow metal soldering' tipseparably Connected with the forward end ot the shank, an electricalresistance heating unit within the tip, plugs of insulating materialwithin the ends of the tubular shank, elee'rieal conductors supported attheir end portions in the plugs and in eireuit with the said heatingunit, oonduetor wires extending in he handle and one having its terminalin circuit with one ot the said conductors, the other conductor beingresilient, the said plugs haring spaeed bores therein, and heli alspring sleeves within the bores and aeeoinmodati .g the terminals ot therespective Conductors, and a Circuit Closing unit Comprising a contactdisk to whieh the other one .of the Conductor wires is een neeted, thedisk having an opening therein, the said resilient Conductor extendingthrough said opening and normally out et rContact with the wall thereof,and a rod of insulating material shittahly mounted in the handle andinwardly of the Contact disk and having an opening into which the 'freeend Jtures.

RAYMOND R. HAZLETT. wWILLIAM J. ALEXANDER.

